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Farmers and ranchers throughout the United States are using solar power to pump water for their livestock and irrigation.  Solar pumping works anywhere the sun shines and most parts of the United States have plenty of sunlight to run these pumping systems. Solar pumping is a natural match for summer grazing applications, since the solar [...]

Want to have great soil and save money in the process? The good news is that the natural process for making good soil has little or no cost. Good soil management produces crops and animals that are healthier, less susceptible to disease and more productive. Earthworms are a sign of good soil health – and [...]

Just because winter is here doesn’t mean you can’t shape up your trees for the coming growing season.  Pruning your fruit trees in winter can lead to healthier trees and higher-quality fruit production.  Winter pruning can also reduce the amount of chemicals used for promoting a better harvest. Viewer Tip: Prune dense fruit tree branches [...]

Bulb growth in garlic is dependent on the warmth and the length of the day.  In northern part of the United States, most growers plant garlic in October before the ground freezes. This gives the garlic plant time to develop good roots but not enough time to encourage leaf growth before coolder weather hits.  Where [...]

The end of pumping season for livestock watering systems usually occurs in the fall, before temperatures reach freezing. At the end of the pumping season, and long before freezing weather occurs, turning off your pump and closing the hydrant provides basic freeze protection. Viewer Tip: For a watering system with a surface pump, any above-ground [...]

Winter might be the last thing you think of when you’re enjoying fresh summer produce, but with a little planning now you can enjoy fresh food from your own garden all year long. The key to a fall or winter harvest is to seed crop in July and August to achieve adequate growth by the [...]

You might think the vegetables growing in your garden can’t get enough of the sun’s rays and warmth. But did you know that too much sun can hurt certain plans? Heat-sensitive crops like lettuce and spinach are susceptible to bolting, which can cause vegetables to taste bitter. Shade over a garden bed can create a [...]

Summer makes for nice hiking weather and many of us head into the great outdoors with our pet companions. With many summer activities taking place near streams and ponds, you may think you don’t need to worry about drinking water for your animals. But on warm, sunny days, you need to be careful to avoid [...]

Warmer temperatures are a welcome thing for those of us without fur, but your house pets often suffer in summer. Animals are susceptible to heat stress in the summer and need lots of extra water to make sure they stay healthy in the heat. Did you know that younger animals need more water than adults? [...]

Mowing the lawn is a typical summer activity. Did you know that when you mow, you can actually “stress out” your grass? This can lead to a brown, weedy and patchy lawn. But, by increasing your mower height, you can reduce stress on turf species as well as the incidence of some common turf weeds. [...]

For home gardeners, weather is a major variable in determining the success of crops. Spring planting dates are commonly scheduled around the first frost-free day. Weather has a large influence on timing because of its effect on seedling establishment and crop growth. For example, peas planted at the first possible planting date in the spring [...]

Early spring might be the season for heavy rain or even a white blanket of snow, but it’s not too early to start thinking about using compost to help grow a lush green lawn. Did you know the best time to apply compost is in the spring? According to the National Center for Appropriate Technology, [...]

Did you know that weather has a large influence on seedling establishment and crop growth? If you enjoy eating peas from your garden, you can plant peas early in the spring, plant another batch of peas a few weeks later, and both batches will be ready to harvest at  almost the same time.  That’s because weather [...]

You may as well collect! The upcoming dry summer months are probably the last thing on your mind during heavy late winter and spring rains. At this time of year, it may seem like it will never dry out, but it’s important to remember that a hot summer is just around the corner. So why not collect that [...]

Ever wonder why some trees have their trunks painted white?  Did you know that too much sun in the winter can damage young trees? According to the National Center for Appropriate Technology, sunscald can occur on cold winter days when the afternoon sun is high in the sky. Heat given off by the sun can [...]

Don’t let a drop in the outdoor temperatures mean a drop in your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. According to the National Center for Appropriate Technology, as the temperatures cool off outside, your car may use more fuel than it does during the summer months. Cold temperatures can recue tire pressure and force engines to work harder, [...]

Soil erosion isn’t just a cosmetic problem in your yard. According to the National Center for Appropriate Technology, soil removed by wind and rain erosion typically contains the “good stuff” – three times more nutrients and five times more organic matter than the soil left behind. Erosion is also a source of water pollution. Protecting [...]

Looking for small, gentle livestock to raise on your farm this fall?  Consider goats!  Goats are the multifaceted livestock of today. There is a booming demand in the United States for goat meat and goat milk and also an interest in using goats as an ecologically safe form of vegetation control. Viewer Tip:  If you want [...]

Fall is the time to reap the rewards of your hard-earned fruit and vegetable crops. However, you can enjoy your produce for months after the harvest through good production practices, harvest handling and postharvest handling and storage. Harvesting fruits and vegetables at their proper stage, size and at peak quality will ensure the best quality [...]

As fall sets in with its cool, wet weather, a fungus called powdery mildew can impact your garden, flowers, and lawn. Powdery mildew and other fungal plant diseases leave produce inedible. The disease can remain dormant in the ground between seasons and crops, so vigilant management practices are essential to keeping your crops free of [...]